Mincemeat is a sweet, spiced mixture traditionally made from dried fruits, suet (a type of fat), sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Despite its name, modern mincemeat usually contains little or no actual meat, though centuries ago it did include minced beef or venison along with the fruit. Today it's mainly fruit, and people use it as a filling for pies, especially during holidays.

You've probably heard someone say they'll “make mincemeat” of an opponent. This colorful expression means to defeat someone thoroughly or crush them completely, like turning something solid into tiny chopped bits. A chess champion might make mincemeat of a beginner, or a skilled debater could make mincemeat of a weak argument.

Traditional mincemeat pie has deep roots in English and American holiday cooking, though it's less popular today than it once was. If you ever try a mince pie (as the British call it), you'll taste the warming spices and sweet fruit that made it a special treat when fresh fruit was scarce in winter.